sulfinpyrazone (Anturane - discontinued in the US)

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Pharmacy Author:

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.

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Medical and Pharmacy Editor:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

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Branded and generic forms of sulfinpyrazone have been discontinued in the US for unknown reasons. The FDA has stated that the discontinuation is not for safety reasons.

GENERIC NAME: sulfinpyrazone (Discontinued in the US)

BRAND NAME: Anturane (Discontinued in the US)

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Sulfinpyrazone is an oral drug that is used to treat gout. Gout is caused by elevated blood levels of uric acid (hyperuricemia). Sulfinpyrazone works by increasing the excretion of uric acid in the urine thereby lowering the elevated levels of uric acid in the blood that are responsible for gout.

PRESCRIPTION: Yes

GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes

PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 100mg; Capsules: 200mg.

STORAGE: Sulfinpyrazone should be stored at room temperature in a sealed container.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Sulfinpyrazone is used to reduce elevated blood uric acid levels in patients with gout in order to prevent recurrent attacks of arthritis. It also can help to dissolve the hard deposits of uric acid crystals (tophi) in patients with the tophaceous form of gout.

DOSING: Sulfinpyrazone should be taken with food, milk or antacids. Patients taking sulfinpyrazone long-term should drink plenty of fluids to minimize the risk of uric acid stones forming in the kidneys.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Sulfinpyrazone can aggravate peptic ulcer disease and is avoided in patients with this condition. It also is avoided in patients with a history of sensitivity to phenylbutazone (Butazolidin) or with serious blood disorders. In patients having an acute attack of gouty arthritis, sulfinpyrazone can worsen the attack. Therefore, it is not started until after the attack has subsided. To avoid a recurrence of gout, while sulfinpyrazone is initiated, colchicine (Colcrys) often is added. Aspirin products can interfere with sulfinpyrazone's effects. Sulfinpyrazone can enhance the action of certain diabetes medicines, such as chlorpropamide (Diabinese), resulting in abnormally low blood sugars.

PREGNANCY: Sulfinpyrazone is avoided, when possible, during pregnancy.

SIDE EFFECTS: Side effects of sulfinpyrazone are uncommon and usually mild. The most frequent adverse reaction is stomach upset. Accordingly, combining the drug with food, milk or antacids is advised. Sulfinpyrazone, however, can cause kidney pain and uric acid kidney stones. Rarely, it has caused severe anemias.

Reference: FDA Prescribing Information

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